Page 20 of Death in the New Year

“What did you say?” asked the torturer.

He whispered again, his last words passing over his lips as the man stared at him in shock. Pushing the dead man away from him, he scrambled against the wall of the old home, shaking his head. He wasn’t sure how long he stayed that way, but finally, he stood, wiping the blood from his knife.

Carefully, he wrapped the body in a sheet and dragged it through the garage, placing it in the trunk of his car. This evil needed to leave his presence sooner rather than later. It would be a long night, but it would be worth it. There was more evil out there, and with the new year coming, he would be very busy.

“Busy, busy, busy,” he murmured to himself. “Busy as a bee.”

CHAPTER FOURTEEN

“We’re making a habit of this, fellas,” said Felix.

“Believe me, we’re not any happier with this than you are. What do we have, Felix?” asked Ghost.

“Forty-one-year-old male, Joshua Potter. Sells cars at Carlisle Auto near Metairie. Wife, son, doesn’t drink, doesn’t smoke, appears to be in good physical condition.”

Nine raised the man’s arms, seeing the ligature marks on his wrists. The others nodded, understanding the connection.

“Two knife wounds, well placed. One here in the abdomen, the other along the side, artfully placed between the ribs. Stab wounds in the hands and feet. Post stab wounds, he was branded,” he said, rolling him to his side. There on his back was one word. Liar. The second brand was along the back of one thigh.

“Liar. What did he lie about? Did he lie to the killer?” asked Gaspar.

“I wish I knew,” said Felix.

Behind them, the door opened, and Wilson walked in with Julia and Noah. Julia immediately stopped, gripping Noah’s hand. Even the big man’s face turned gray, his knees shaking as Nine grabbed his arm while Wilson held his daughter.

“Y’all shouldn’t have come,” said Ghost. “You okay, honey?” Julia nodded.

“It’s so powerful in here. There are so many bodies.”

“I can wheel him into another room,” said Felix.

Noah nodded at him and waited as they moved their victim to a private area away from the rest of the death. It was better but still not great.

The men knew enough to remain quiet while Julia and Noah attempted to make a connection. It was rare when they couldn’t, but it did happen on occasion.

“He knew his killer,” said Noah, “but he can’t say the name. Something is preventing him from saying the name.”

“He forgives him,” whispered Julia. “He says he forgave him with his last breath.”

“What did he look like? A name? Anything?” asked Gaspar.

“Nothing. That’s it. His forgiveness opened the door for him. He’s gone now. I’m sorry. I really thought Noah and I could connect with him since the death was so recent.”

“It’s okay, honey. Does Joseph know that you’re here?” smirked Nine.

“I do,” said Joseph, walking in the door. “Didn’t I ask you to come and get me when you decided to do this again?”

Julia smiled at her husband, falling into his arms.

“I didn’t need to tell you. You already knew.” He couldn’t help but smile at her, hugging her, keeping her safe in his big arms.

“He knew his killer,” mumbled Nine. “He knew him, and the victim forgave him. I think we need to speak with the wife and see if we can find out if anyone at the church was a friend or maybe there was someone that he argued with.”

“Let’s go,” said Gaspar. “At this rate, we’re going to have more murders than we can handle.”

The number of cars parked outside the Potter home told the men that he was well-liked and certainly loved. The front door was open, and they stepped inside, looking left and right. Seated near the fireplace was a woman, her teenage son holding her hand.

“Mrs. Potter?” asked Ian.

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